Author Archives: Mike Vogel

When I read about C. Everett Koop’s death I couldn’t help but smile. Not because he had passed on (at the age of 96), but because of the unique memory I have of the one time we met. I was … Continue reading →

Freshly made tacos! Halal chicken! Korean barbeque! Most of us can agree that the tantalizing smells and delicious tastes emanating from the ever-growing number of food trucks filling our streets have provided a real service to us economically strapped, on-the-go … Continue reading →

As we say goodbye to another “once in a century” storm, it’s high time to confront a new, disturbing reality. While New York City averaged just about a foot of snow from Nemo (when did we start naming snowstorms?), Commack, … Continue reading →

Ed Koch was so alive it’s hard to believe he’s dead. The quintessential New Yorker, Koch may have been the last of our old time city politicians. Koch paid his dues and rose through the ranks, schmoozing his way up … Continue reading →

In 2005 Graziano Graziussi achieved his Masters degree from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. So began the Naples, Italy native’s love affair with New York City. It may have ended this week. A practicing lawyer … Continue reading →

When I was a little kid I’d watch the Miss America pageant with my parents, viewing the spectacle the way I later viewed the movie Aliens. Bert Parks would sing “There She Is, Miss America!” and a shapely, toothy 21 … Continue reading →

While the term “arrogant politician” has become virtually redundant, Larry Seabrook has managed to take it to new, breathtaking heights. The Bronx Councilman (a/k/a “Cash and Carry Larry”) was sentenced to five years in jail this week by NYC judge … Continue reading →

As we take our first baby steps into 2013, time to take a last look at one of the weirdest years in memory for NYC and vicinity: Leading the way was a storm which forever changed the way we will … Continue reading →

Like lovers who’ve been burned too many times, we were a tad wary when dynamic new MTA commissioner Joseph Lhota came on board at the start of 2012. Joe’s quick acceptance of the inevitability of another fare hike and public … Continue reading →

Since I started freelancing/playwriting full time, I’ve avoided subway rush hour as much as possible— but today was my lucky day. Standing on the 6 train at 8:30 a.m., the doors opened and a husky, middle aged woman stepped on, … Continue reading →